Sheet-cutting machine.



F. W. STEVENS.

V SHEET CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1909.

965,489. Patented July 26,1910.

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F. W. STEVENS. v I SHEET CUTTING MACHINE.

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Patented my 26, 1910.

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FREDERICK W. STEVENS, 0F JULIET, ILLINOIS.

SHEET-CUTTING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 1, 1909.

Patented July 26, 1910. Serial No. 515,598.

To all whom it may concern:

vnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joliet, in the countyof Will and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Sheet-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a full,clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for forming openings in sheetmaterial, and finds important use in forming beveled open ings inpicture mats.

In practicing my invention, I employ knives having cutting edges suitedto the dimensions of the openings to be formed in the sheet material,these cutting edges having extensions at the ends of the knives that areoblique with respect to the cutting edges.

In the preferred embodiment of the in vention, chucks are provided forthe knives, which chucks are so mounted that they may be moved together,during which movement the sheet material and knives are pressedtogether, to cause the long cutting edges of the knives to cut throughthe sheet material, the adjacent oblique extensions of the long cuttingedges of the different knives being gradually brought together and con-.tacting when the long cutting edges havepassed through the sheetmaterial, whereby these oblique cutting edge portions are adaptednaturally to cut the corners in the openings in the sheet material.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chucks which carry theknives are so pressed by spring mechanism that the chucks will separatewhen no pressure is being exerted between the knives and the sheetmaterial that is to be cut, mechanism, responsive to pressure that isexerted when the knives are passing through the sheet material, beingemployed to effect the simul taneous mutual approach of the chuckscontaining the knives, whereby the results which have been described aresecured.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, showing the preferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure 1is a sectional elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with myinin sheet material, but I I vention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of thecutting Be it known that I, FREDERICK I/V. STE- mechanism constructed inaccordance with the invention, this view showing the cutting mechanismin its idle position. Fig. 3 shows the cutting mechanism of Fig. 2 afterit has been operated. Fig. 4 is a view in cross-section on line 4 4 ofFig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlargement of a part of the view shown in Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, with the exception that the partsare shown in the position they occupy after the 1nechanism has beenoperated to do the cutting. Fig. 7 is end view of the knife blade. Fig.8 is a perspective view showing a part of the beveled opening producedby the cutting mechanism.

Like parts are indicated by similar char acters of reference throughoutthe different figures.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, mechanism is illustratedwhereby rectangular beveled openings may be formed do not limit myselfto the formation of rectangular openings. There are as many sheetmaterial-cutting knives a as there are sides to the openings to beformed. In the present instance, there are four such knives, which aremounted in suitable chuck bodies Z) at angles preferably of forty-fivedegrees to the chuck bodies, the chuck bodies being provided withkniferetaining blocks 0 which are pressed against the knives by means ofclamping screws (Z.

The base 6 for each chuck body is desirably separately formed from suchchuck body, in order that chuck bodies of different sizes may beseparably connected with the same chuck bases, so that in case the chuckbodies are not adapted to the selected knives, chuck bodies of othersizes may be substituted. Each chuck base has a plurality of slots 7therein, three of which are shown as being in register with openingsprovided in the associate chuck body, whereby clamping bolts 9 may beemployed separably to secure the chuck body and base together. In theembodiment of the invention illustrated, I have shown each chuck base asbeing provided with seven slots f, the bolts 9 passing through themiddle three slots. In the case of a given chuck, if the knife that isto be substituted for the knife illustrated, is too long for such chuckbody, then a larger chuck body may be substituted, in which caseadditional slots f and additional clamp ing bolts 9 may be employed tohold the larger chuck body and the chuck base together.

Adjacent chuck bases 0 move with respect to each other in directionsthat are at rightangles, the chuck bases moving toward and from a commonpoint Where the screw it is located.

The chucks, together with the knives, are caused to occupy normally idlepositions, by means of spring devices, which, in the embodiment of theinvention shown, are in the form of spring rods 2', each being inengagement at its intermediate portion with the inside of a pin isprovided upon a chuck base and in engagement at its ends with the pins Zlocated upon the frame-work or foundation m of the mechanism of myinvention. The spring rods being thus engaged with the pins, withdrawthe chucks and the knives carried thereby to their outermost positions.The chucks are desirably advanced toward the central point 72, when thesheet material is to be cut by the knives carried thereby. Thissimultaneous inward movement of the chucks and knives is de sirablyaccomplished through the same general mechanism that effects pressurebetween the knives and the sheet material to be cut.

In practicing my invention, the foundation or support m may be locatedin a press that is analogous to a Gordon or similar printing press andin the place usually occupied by a printing form. The sheet material tobe cutmay be fed by hand upon the platen of the press in a mannersimilar to the way paper is fed into the Gordon type of press. I haveindicated a support 0 for the frame-work or foundation m and a platen 79for supporting the sheet material that is to be cut, and I will notfurther describe the elements 0 and p as presses containing the same arevery well known. It is known that after the sheet material is placedupon the platen, the press operating mechanism brings the platen intoparallel relation with the supporting structure 0, after which theplaten is moved in a direction at right-angles to the supporting part 0and toward the same, in order that the sheet material may have pressureexerted thereupon. In the preferred embodiment of my invention, theplaten not only supports the sheet material that is to be cut andpresses the same upon the cutting edges of the knives a, but the outerportions of the platen are adapted to press upon cam blocks 7 that aremovably mounted upon the foundation element m in such a way that saidcam blocks may be moved in the direction in which the platen is movingtoward the support 0, screws r holding the cam blocks 1 upon theframework on while permitting movement of said cam blocks transverselyto the plane of the frame-work or foundation m. The cam blocks g engagewith cam blocks 8 provided on the bases of the chucks, and when the camblocks Q are moved inwardly, the cam blocks 8 are moved inwardly, thecam blocks .9 in their inward movement carrying with them theknifecarrying chucks. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, thesimultaneous inward movements of the chucks and the knives carriedthereby, commence when the platen presses the sheet material that is tobe out upon the long cutting edges of the knives. A continued pressureof the platen is required in order to force the cutting edges of theknives through the sheet material, which continued pressure effects themutual approach of the chucks and cutting knives until the knives havepenetrated the sheet material and formed the desired opening therein. Itwill be apparent that these movements of the knives cause their cuttingedges to be passed obliquely through the sheet material. The cuttingedges provided upon the ends of the knives being oblique with respect tothe long cutting edges, are so located that when the knives are broughttogether, the contiguous oblique end cutting edges of the knives will bein contact, so that the beveled edges surrounding the opening cut intothe sheet material will be completely formed, the corner portions beingnicely trimmed by the oblique end cutting edges of the knives, all aswill be apparent by an inspection of the drawings.

Then the platen is withdrawn, the spring rods 2' withdraw the chucks andthe knives so that they may occupy their initial position preparatory tocutting an opening in a fresh sheet of material.

It will be seen that I have provided a machine for cutting sheetmaterial including a press that has two members and mechanism foreffecting the mutual approach of said members and their separation, oneof said members serving to hold the sheet material that is to be outwhile the other of said members holds a plurality of relatively movableknives each of which has a longitudinal cutting edge and a cutting edgeat each end oblique with respect to the longitudinal cutting edge andforming continuations thereof, the planes containing the longitudinaland oblique cutting edges of'the knives slanting toward each other, theknives being adapted to penetrate the material to be cut when themembers of the press are moved toward each other, and mechanism operatedby pressure exerted between said members for forcing the mutual approach of said knives when relative movement between said members iscaused, the adjacent oblique cutting edges of the cutting knives beingadapted substantially to contact when forced inward.

It will also be seen that I have provided a machine for cutting sheetmaterial including a plurality of cutting blades having longitudinalcutting edges and cutting edges oblique with respect to the longitudinalcutting edges and forming continuations thereof, in combination withmeans for effecting relative transverse movement between the material tobe cut and the cutting blades and movement along the plane of thematerial to be cut.

It will be understood that I have particularly described the preferredembodiment of my invention, in order that one way of practicing myinvention might be thoroughly understood. It is obvious, however, thatmany changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention particularlyshown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention,and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the pre cise details ofconstruction shown, nor do I wish to be limited to the peculiar form ofpress mechanism described, in practicin the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent the following:

A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said membersholds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the planescontaining the longitudinal and oblique cutting edges of the knivesslanting toward each other, the knives being adapted to penetrate thematerial to be cut when the members of the press are moved toward eachother, and mechanism operated by pressure exerted between said membersfor forcing the mutual approach of said knives when relative movementbetween said members is caused, the adjacent oblique cutting edges ofthe cutting knives being adapted substantially to contact when forcedinward.

2. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that. is to be cut: while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the planescontaining the longitudinal and oblique cutting edges of the knivesslanting toward each other, the knives being adapted to penetrate thematerial to be cut when the members of the press are moved toward eachother, and mechanism intervening between said members for forcing themutual approach of said knives when relative movement between saidmembers is caused, the adjacent oblique cutting edges of the cuttingknives being adapted substantially to contact when forced in ward.

3. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the planescontaining the longitudinal and oblique cutting edges of the knivesslanting toward each other, the knives being adapted to penetrate thematerial to be cut when the members of the press are moved toward eachother, and mechanism operated by pressure exerted between said membersfor forcing the mutual approach of said knives when relative movementbetween said members is caused.

4-. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the planescontaining the longitudinal and oblique cutting edges of the knivesslanting toward each other, the knives being adapted to penetrate thematerial to be cut when the members of the press are moved toward eachother, and mechanism intervening between said members for forcing themutual approach of said knives when relative movement between saidmembers is caused.

5. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has alongitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique withrespect to the longitudinal cutting edge and forming continuationsthereof, the knives being adapted to penetrate the material to be cutwhen the members of the press are moved toward each other, and mechanismoperated by pressure exerted between said members for forcing the mutualapproach of said knives when relative movement between said members iscaused, the adjacent oblique cutting edges of the cutting knives beingadapted substantially to contact when forced inward.

6. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be cut while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the knivesbeing adapted to penetrate the material to be cut when the members ofthe press are moved toward each other, and mechanism intervening betweensaid members for forcing the mutual approach of said knives whenrelative movement between said members is caused, the adjacent obliquecutting edges of the cutting knives being adapted substantially tocontact when forced inward.

7. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be cut while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the knivesbeing adapted to penetrate the material to be cut when the members ofthe press are moved toward each other, and mechanism operated bypressure exerted between said members for forcing the mutual approach ofsaid knives when relative movement between said members is caused.

8. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual ap proach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be cut while the other of said members holdsaplurality of relatively movable knives each of which has a longitudinalcutting edge and a cutting edge at each end oblique with respect to thelongitudinal cutting edge and forming continuations thereof, the knivesbeing adapted to penetrate the material to be cut when the members ofthe press are moved toward each other, and mechanism intervening betweensaid members for forcing the mutual approach of said knives whenrelative movement between said members is caused.

9. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for effecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separation, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives whose cutting edges face theaforesaid member and which are forced into the material to be cut whenrelative movement bet-ween said members v toward each other is caused,and mechanism operated by pressure exerted between said members forforcing the mutual approach of said knives when relative movementbetween said members is caused.

10. A machine for cutting sheet material including a press that has twomembers and mechanism for efi'ecting the mutual approach of said membersand their separa tion, one of said members serving to hold the sheetmaterial that is to be out while the other of said members holds aplurality of relatively movable knives whose cutting edges face theaforesaid member and which are forced into the material to be cut whenrelative movement between said members toward each other is caused, andmechanism intervening between said members for forcing the mutualapproach of said knives when relative movement between said members iscaused.

11. A machine for cutting sheet material including a plurality ofcutting blades each having a longitudinal cutting edge and two cuttingedges at its ends oblique with respect to the longitudinal cutting edgeand forming continuations thereof, each of said blades being held tohave the plane including its cutting edges slanting, in combination withmeans for efiecting relative transverse movement between the material tobe cut and the cutting blades and the mutual approach of the cuttingblades when cutting the sheet material, the adjacent oblique cuttingedges of the cutting blades being adapted substantially to engage eachother, the

planes including the cutting edges of the.

different knives slanting toward each other.

12. A machine for cutting sheet material including a plurality ofcutting blades each having a longitudinal cutting edge and two cuttingedges at its ends oblique with respect to the longitudinal cutting edgeand forming continuations thereof, each of said blades being held tohave the plane includ ing its cutting edges slanting, in combinationwith means for effecting relative transverse movement between thematerial to be cut and the cutting blades and the mutual approach of thecutting blades when cutting the sheet material, the planes including thecutting edges of the different knives slanting toward each other.

13. A machine for cutting sheet material including a plurality ofcutting blades each having a longitudinal cutting edge and two cuttingedges at its ends oblique with rehaving a longitudinal cutting edge andtwo cutting edges at its ends oblique with respect to the longitudinalcutting edge and forming continuations thereof, in combination withmeans for effecting relative transverse movement between the material tobe cut and the cutting blades and also for effecting the mutual approachof the adjacent ends of the cutting blades, the movement of the bladesin planes that slope toward each other when cutting the sheet material.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe I my name this 30th day ofAugust A. 1).,

FREDERICK W. STEVENS. Witnesses G. L. CRAGG, L. G. STROI-I. a v

